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David I think Trevor is on the correct track, I haven't heard it used in connection with coal mining (though I am aware of the use of the expression 'Feigh Heaps' in India, used to describe stockpiles of cleanings from opencast coal mining operations typically shale/mudstone partings within a coal seam which are often set aside to be either washed to recover residual coal or blended away in better quality coals due to their relatively high carbonaceous content) The usually reliable US Bureau of Mines "A deictionary of mining, mineral and related terms" offers the following definition: Feigh - Refuse or dirt from ore or coal (cited source - Chambers Techical Dictionary, MacMillan, New York 1958) I wonder in the circumstance you describe wether the men may being paid for clearing and recovering coals encountered during sinking shafts and cross measures drifts and soughs, rather than remove shale partings from coal recovered? Good luck G ----- Original Message ----- From: "Trevor Dunkerley" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2007 3:23 PM Subject: Re: Feighing or faying - what is it? > David, > > Something of a different context being a term used in mineral ore mining, > but to feigh (or faigh, feath) was to cast waste rock from the mine onto > hillocks. In other words, refuse from the mine forming external hillocks. > > A completely appropriate question and I am sure someone will be able to > offer you a definitive answer in relation to coal mining. > > Kindest regards, > > Trevor > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "David Cross" <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2007 1:47 PM > Subject: Feighing or faying - what is it? > > > I am starting a dissertation for an MA at Huddersfield University on > C18/early C19 coal mining in the Hudds/Halifax (Yorkshire) area. Looking > at > MS sources for the late C18, payments are frequently made to miners > (particularly sinkers) for 'feighing' (spelt in a variety of ways). This > seems to mean something like cleaning out soughs or drifts, but I can't > find > a clear or unambiguous definition - I rather get the feeling that > everybody > except me knows exactly what it means! Any help would be appreciated. > Thank you. > > This is my first post on this list, so I would be grateful if I could be > advised if this is an inappropriate question, or if I am otherwise > infringing list conventions. > > David Cross